And what a glorious stretch it has been. Boy howdy.

I've got a nasty sugar hangover from eating crap candy from the kids' Easter baskets. I have to stop that. Only high-quality candy from now on!

We've been enjoying some glorious weather, and I'm sort-of irritated that I haven't been outside wallowing in it. We did take a nice family bike ride on some of our pretty trails this weekend, and I'm determined to get out there and do it again today. It started off innocently enough, a family jaunt around the neighborhood, and turned into this five mile ride through pastoral scenery - vineyards and horses grazing and waving grasses and blooming flowers and BAM! HAY FEVER! WOOO!

So we're almost to the turn around point and the kids are whining about how tired they are, expect when they are racing ahead out of site and my husband is clutching his chest (in jest. I think.) and my eyes and nose are running like crazy and we still had a great time.

So, I'm taking something for that little issue before the next ride. Maybe stuffing some kleenex in my pants. And I'm bringing my camera. I'm really blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

Easter Sunday, we hung out at my parents' house. My sister, aka The Fake Easter Bunny, wasn't with us this year, as she has a new boyfriend and had another place to go... one where she didn't have to run around in my parents' yard hiding plastic eggs repeatedly. Heh.

Joining us was my cousin and her daughter, and all four kids had a great time running around together. My mom's new puppy, Oreo, was thoroughly traumatized by Donna the Dog, and we even roasted sausages.

Later, we busted out the Wii. Despite my best moves, my dad totally beat my ass in boxing. We left the Wii at my parents' house for a few days so that my dad can master Guitar Hero and bring his "A" game to the next battle royale.

Back at home, we flipped channels on the TV and sang along with musical numbers from The Sound of Music. And when we finally collapsed in bed, twitching from one too many marshmellow peeps, it was with the exhaustion that comes from eight straight days of family togetherness time.